Alcoholism is defined as the dependence on alcohol consumption to an extent that adversely affects social and work-related functioning and produces withdrawal symptoms when intake is stopped or greatly reduced. Symptoms
Some of the major symptoms of alcoholism include consumption of large amounts of alcohol at a high frequency, with attendant lack of control over the habit, denial of the existence of any problems with this habit, anger when criticized for their drinking, development of tolerance to the effects of alcohol as seen in the average population, use of alcohol as eye opener every morning, generally erratic and irresponsible behavior both at home and in the work place.
In some cases, patients could become suicidal (Kendall RE, 1983). Depression, confusion, forgetfulness, lethargy and many other non-specific symptoms like red eyes, weak limbs and sleeplessness may accompany this problem (Glavas MM, et al2006). However, symptoms tend to vary from one patient to another Differential diagnosis Some of the differential diagnosis of alcoholism includes myocardial infarction, Right and Left heart failure, pulmonary edema, anxiety, depression, ketoacidosis, hypoglycemia etc. Etiology
It is usually not an easy task to single out one main cause for alcoholism. The presence of multiple factors is often observed. Some of these factors include; a positive family history for alcoholism, a past medical history of mental illness, evidence of peer pressure and very stressful conditions can all predispose a person to alcoholism. Of particular interest is any past medical history of mental disease. This is so because alcohol can predispose to, and worsen a mental problem. Prevalence and Incidence
Getting accurate epidemiological data about alcoholism is usually very difficult due to the fact that many patients either do not co-operate at all or give false data about their consumption levels. However there are an “estimated 15. 1 million people: 15. 1 million alcohol abusing or alcohol dependent individuals in the United States of America” (wrongdiagnosis. com). That is 1 in every 18 American citizens! Indigenous healing Even though, the indigenous healing practices do not seem to enjoy much patronage, they do exist and serve there own good purposes.
As against the curative approach of the conventional means of taking care of alcoholics, the indigenous means aims at healing the individual. The system relies heavily on the willingness of the individual to quit and the support of the immediate family and society at large to help the individual in his attempt at breaking the drinking habit. The above mentioned participants are so linked in the system as to operate like a well-linked chain. The individual is motivated by the norms and standards imposed on him by the society and the society acts to save one of its own.
Medication Issues Some medications are available for the treatment of alcoholism, (Gabbard, 2001). However, drug interaction with the alcohol is a common hindrance. Broadly speaking, these drugs can be put into three groups namely; Tranquilizers e. g Valium and Librium both useful at the initial stage of treatment. A second group consists of recent drugs like Naltrexone and a final group consisting of older drugs like disulfiram. All have their have uses depending on the modalities of treatment chosen.
In all cases, emotional support along side the drugs would still be required. Impact and Role of Family The impact of alcoholism is almost always most felt by the immediate family of the alcoholic, (Karrol Brad R. , 2002). Many men expend their earnings to satisfy their crave for alcohol while their families go hungry, children can barely go to school for they may not be able to afford their fees, discipline is lost at home as the father figure is more or less lost and the not even the health of the family will be spared.
This is very likely to be because the family does not eat well. Finally, given the attendant health risk associated with alcoholism, long life is no longer guaranteed to the victim thus causing undue emotional troubles for the family when they die either due to disease or violence, (Walter H et al, 2003) Despite the above mentioned, the family still has the greatest role to play first in ensuring that members do not fall into this vice and that if any member does fall into it, all efforts are made t rescue them.
Families must not reject and criticize them only; they must also be willing to take active parts in their restoration processes, (Schuckit M, 1983).
Reference
Gabbard (2001) 3rd edn. “Treatments of Psychiatric Disorders”. Published by the American Psychiatric Association Glavas MM, Weinberg J (2006). “Stress, Alcohol Consumption, and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis”. in Yehuda S, Mostofsky DI. Nutrients, Stress, and Medical Disorders. Totowa, NJ: Humana Press. pp. 165–183. Karrol Brad R. (2002).
“Alcohol use disorders: a review of important knowledge and its implications for social work practitioners”. Journal of social work 2 (3): 337–356. Kendall RE (1983). “Alcohol and suicide”. Subst Alcohol Actions Misuse 4 (2-3): 121–7. Schuckit M (June 1983). “Alcoholic patients with secondary depression”. Am J Psychiatry 140 (6): 711–4. Walter H. , Gutierrez K. , Ramskogler K. , Hertling I. , Dvorak A. , Lesch O. M. , (June 2003). “gender-specific differences in alcoholism: implications for treatment”. Archives of Women’s Mental Health 6: 253–268.